Indian Priest Threatened in Wake of Blasts

May 27, 2001
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MUZAFFARPUR, India, MAY 27, 2001 (Zenit.org).- In the wake of recent blasts in a Catholic church and a threatening letter to the parish priest, a bishop said, "It appears to us that there is a conspiracy against us."

Bishop John Thakur of Muzaffarpur made his comments after Father Julius Lazarus, parish priest of St. Francis of Assisi Cathedral in Muzaffarpur, received an envelope containing threatening letters, the SAR news agency reported.

One letter read: "The blast was just a trailer. There are many more churches in the town."

Archbishop Vincent M. Concessao of Delhi and Bishop Thakur condemned the three blasts that shook the Catholic church of Muzaffarpur on May 5.

According to Bishop Thakur, police have asked Church authorities to name the suspects. "The Christian community [is] terrorized by this incident," he said. "We feel insecure."